Stella Maris Church Kalmady Celebrates Annual Feast
Udupi: The annual feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni shrine at Stella Maris Church Kalmady was celebrated on August 15.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi Diocese, was accorded a grand welcome by the Kalmady parish priest Fr Alban D’Souza along with the parish council members.
Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo concelebrated the festive mass along with Fr Roque D’Souza parish priest St Francis Xavier’s Church Udyavar, Fr Fredrick D’Souza Parish Priest Christ Church Manipal, parish priest Fr Alban D’Souza and other clergies.
In his homily, the Bishop said that there is a link between Mother Mary and the Holy Sacrament. The Immaculate Mother of God, Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her early life, assumed her body and soul into heaven. With that, the ancient belief became the Catholic doctrine and the Assumption was declared a truth revealed by God. Mother Mary always believed in Jesus. Mother Mary remained faithful to the Lord, he said.
State Minister for Sports, Youth affairs and Fisheries and district in-charge minister, Pramod Madhwaraj visited the shrine and released the parish bulletin ‘Daryacho Sukur’ during the stage programme held after the festive Eucharistic celebration. He also conveyed his best wishes to the gathering.
Fr Alban thanked the parishioners and the parish council for their concerted efforts in organizing the annual feast.
Around 5,000 devotees from across the district and neighbouring districts participated in the annual feast.
